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***image1***With nearly 60 years of military service in one capacity or another Max Pfauntsch thinks he can understand what retirees, widows and widowers go through.
He is going to get the chance to put his experience to work as he takes over as director of the Ramstein Retiree Affairs Office.
After almost two years without a director, the office gives retirees a place to go for information on matters affecting their lives.
“I think it is much more difficult for retirees in the overseas area to keep up with all the changes,” said Mr. Pfauntsch. “When you get older maybe you don’t think about these minute factors. I think that many widows out here would benefit from the military again looking after them and keeping them apprised of what’s going on.”
The office provides KMC retirees with information and updates on retiree benefits.
“It is our hope that the (office) will serve as a focal point for issues of interest to retirees as well as their families,” said Chief Master Sgt. A.C. Fleming, 435th Mission Support Squadron Military Personnel Flight superintendent.
The new retiree affairs director agrees.
“The position requires one to keep retirees and their families informed of the latest changes,” said Mr. Pfauntsch. “Many have given years of dedicated service and I believe they can also make significant contributions while in a retirement status to the active force with their experiences and background.”
He is also responsible for keeping leadership apprised of retiree needs and where the active force can help.
“I feel I have some experience and hopefully I will have the support from the retirees as well as from the military to make this a good effort and make it a successful approach.”
Next year will mark 60 years of service for him. Born and raised in Germany, Mr. Pfauntsch started in 1946 as a U.S. Army mascot for the 1st Infantry Division.
“A captain from the unit sponsored me to go to America in 1954. The Korean War was still on, so in order for me to become a citizen it was incumbent on me to serve in the military. I enlisted and ended up serving 33 years.”
He retired in 1987 and started working for the American Red Cross.
Mr. Pfauntsch plans on working a couple of hours each week in this voluntary non-paid position until he gets a large customer base. He said his biggest goal is to revitalize the program and show retirees that the active force is interested in them.
Anyone wanting more information can stop by Bldg. 2106, Room 309 or call 480-0206 Tuesdays from 1 to 3 p.m., or e-mail ram
stein.retaff@ramstein.af.mil.
